Fall sports season begins

By press time, almost every local fall sports team will have begun play. Football got plenty of attention last weekend (please see story), but there’s a lot more to the fall landscape than just the gridiron.

Here’s a glimpse.

Boys’ soccer

Deering and Portland’s boys’ soccer teams were on an early-season collision course (the teams meet Thursday afternoon at Fitzpatrick Stadium) and each took care of business in their opener.

The Rams edged visiting Cheverus in a playoff rematch, 1-0, thanks to a tremendous individual effort on the game’s lone goal from Christian Castaneda. Prior to going to Portland, Deering hosted Massabesic Tuesday. The Rams are at Gorham Tuesday of next week.

The Bulldogs blanked visiting Sanford, 5-0, thanks to two goals apiece from Ibrahim Dahir and Yusuf Bobe. Prior to hosting Deering, Portland was at defending Class A champion Scarborough Tuesday. The Bulldogs visit Noble Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus looked to bounce back from its loss at Deering when it hosted Marshwood Tuesday. The Stags play at Windham Tuesday of next week.

In Western C, Waynflete opened its season Monday at Traip. The Flyers return to action Monday at Fryeburg.

Girls’ soccer

Deering’s girls’ soccer team appears to be the real deal. The Rams dominated visiting Cheverus in the opener Friday, avenging a playoff loss with a 6-1 triumph. Simone Lauture had a hat trick, Alexis Elowitch scored twice and Abby Elowitch added a goal. Deering is at Massabesic Wednesday and visits Portland Thursday.

The Bulldogs won their opener, 3-2, over Sanford, rallying from a 2-1 halftime deficit. Madison Bolduc, Kate Johnson and Ella Coose (the winner with seven minutes left) had the goals. Portland hosted defending Class A champion Scarborough Monday and welcomes Deering Thursday.

Cheverus looks for its first win Wednesday, when it hosts McAuley. The Stags go to Marshwood Thursday.

McAuley lost its opener, 12-0, at home to Windham. After playing at Cheverus Wednesday, the Lions are home with Massabesic Saturday and host Biddeford Tuesday.

Western C champion Waynflete began its season Monday at home versus Traip (please see theforecaster.net for game story). The Flyers go to Fryeburg Monday.

Field hockey

Portland’s field hockey managed to do something is hadn’t accomplished in six years last week when it won its opener, blanking host Noble, 5-0, last Wednesday. Shannon Boyle and Lauren McIntyre scored twice and Isabelle DiMillo also rattled the cage. Saturday, the Bulldogs lost at Windham, 2-1. Taylor Sargent scored the goal. Portland was home with Sanford Tuesday, visits reigning regional champion Scarborough Thursday and welcomes South Portland Monday.

Traditional power Cheverus is up to its usual tricks, winning its first two games. The Stags held off visiting Westbrook, 2-1, in the opener, as Meredith Willard scored the tying goal and Elyse Caiazzo had the winner. Friday, Cheverus won at Biddeford, 3-0, as Becca Archer, Caiazzo and Colleen Slattery all scored. The Stags hosted Bonny Eagle Tuesday, go to McAuley Thursday and visit Windham Monday.

Deering, coming off a playoff season, fell at home to Thornton Academy in its opener, 3-0, despite several impressive saves from sophomore goalie Sadie Rhinehardt.

“I think we can learn a lot from this game,” said second-year Rams coach Liz Koharian. “Clearly, Thornton’s experienced. They’re in great shape. They’re a strong team.”

Deering fell to 0-2 Friday with a 2-1 loss at Westbrook. Thuy Phan had the Rams’ first goal of the season. Deering looked to get in the win column Monday when it hosted Biddeford. The Rams are at Bonny Eagle Thursday and welcome McAuley Monday.

The Lions opened with a 16-0 loss to visiting Biddeford, then fell at home to Bonny Eagle, 11-0. McAuley was at Windham Tuesday, hosts Cheverus Thursday and goes to Deering Monday.

In Western C, Waynflete opened at home against Yarmouth Monday (see theforecaster.net for game story). The Flyers go to Sacopee Monday and visit North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday.

Cross country

Waynflete’s cross country team opened at Wells (along with Lake Region and Traip) and both the boys and girls came in first. Sofia Canning won the girls’ race in 21 minutes, 56 seconds. Julian Ireland (third, 20:50) was the Flyers’ top male.

Other city cross country teams begin their regular season Friday.

Golf

Cheverus’ golf team opened with a 10.5-2.5 loss to Scarborough. The Stags had a home test with Falmouth Tuesday. Deering lost, 11-2, at Falmouth in its first match. The Rams host Scarborough Wednesday. Portland was the lone first match winner, downing host South Portland, 11.5-1.5.

Volleyball

The lone city volleyball team, Cheverus, opened its second varsity season Tuesday at home against Kennebunk. The Stags go to North Yarmouth Academy Thursday, host York Saturday and visit new varsity program South Portland Tuesday of next week.